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On Thursday, August 19, 2010, the Caribbean island of St. Kitts announced that a new private air terminal is to be built at the island’s Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. Construction of the new terminal is scheduled to begin in February 2011, with FBO service operations commencing at the end of 2012.
“This is a significant step forward in the transformation of St. Kitts’ tourism product,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport. “With competition for the global private jet market so intense, this project is designed to facilitate the type of arrival and departure experience that discerning travellers, including entertainment celebrities, sports stars and international investors, expect. This new private air terminal will allow St. Kitts to deliver the highest quality of personalised service to passengers on private jets, as well as scheduled VIP arrivals, featuring our genuinely welcoming Kittitian hospitality.”
To be located towards the west of the main RLB Airport parking apron, the new private terminal will consist of world class lounges, a business center, and related offices and processing facilities, as well as an elegantly landscaped courtyard and events centre. The first phase of the development will feature the main tropical-styled and environmentally friendly terminal, with later phases to include a dedicated parking apron, and an extension of the terminal. The first phase investment will value approximately US$6 million, with the total cost of the final project estimated at US$ 15 million.
The new private air terminal will be constructed and operated by Veling Limited with full ownership to be transferred to The St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) at the end of the concession contract period. Veling Limited is a global aviation solution provider based in Mauritius and London, England. The architect and interior decorator for the new terminal is internationally acclaimed Bobby Mukherji & Associates, awarded recently as one of India’s top ten design firms.
Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodation ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.
St. Kitts is served by British Airways twice weekly from London (Gatwick) flying to St. Kitts on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
